RJ bags a Jug and with it three points

TRR M3's continue on impressive winning streak V UCD 3-2

You never really know what to expect when playing UCD in Belfield, on the sand base astro would our playing style be affected?

With several of the squad away (in order to boost Jugs for annual dinner I have awarded a jug to Mac, Findo, Ryan, Rig for non attendance - if there are others please tell me and will add to this list) and the 4's match postponed (thanks to Arthur, Louis, and anyone else for playing) we took to the pitch with as Ritchie would say not a great warm up, although Ben did his best, it seemed to me a lack of intensity/match play like we were just going through the motions....

Thanks to Jody for umpiring, not often do you get a South African international to umpire your match, although he and Ben were to have several flirtatious conversations throughout the match!

We started ok moving the ball as best we could, however energy levels were 25% below par, slow pitch meant for several mistakes, one of which saw UCD break down the right uncontested into our D along the byline, with two not one light blue shirt unmarked, one of them finishing off the move with a goal 1-0.

From here on in we held onto the ball, forcing UCD into defending for most of the first half. RJ (Taps) was to score one of his two goals (and yes this is a genuine jug!) bringing us level at the half time 1-1.

We needed to improve, up the tempo, thankfully we did this in the second half responding well to half time chat. Phil, RJ, Arthur, Roly, Ben, Hinds continued to move the ball around, take on defenders, with several wasted opportunities it took our left mid to smash home from one of these crosses over the prone GK 1-2.

With Greenie, 2 x Scotts, Ritchie, Ed x 2, keeping it tight at the back and moving the ball around well, creating several more chances it looked likely the game would finish 1-2, but as you never know what to expect V UCD they scored a deflected goal against the run of play (despite the opportunities the umpire had to blow the whistle) 2-2. In days of old panic may have set in, KEEP CALM and play field hockey, with the match in the balance, it could go either way, thankfully Taps er RJ finished well, final score 2-3.

MOM - This week this award is shared between Taps, Roly, Scott W and Hinds (and yes thats a jug each gentlemen)
DOD - Ben Epstein flirting with the umpire

A big match tomorrow v Glens 2nd XI, could we grab a win making this weekend a special one with 6 points to close out the season.